Power Outages Take Toll On State Capital's Water Service

Taps ran dry in Jackson, MS, this month as the city struggled with power outages, which can complicate normal processes at any water utility.

The city scrambled to address issues at both of its water treatment facilities “after already dealing with a power outage at J. H. Fewell Water Treatment Plant,” The Clarion-Ledger reported.

The issues “led to widespread water outages in the City of Jackson,” according to a statement from the city.

Power outages can have a big effect on water service. As Water Online’s Kevin Westerling recently explained in a piece about the U.S. EPA’s new power resilience guide for water utilities: “Even the world’s most advanced water treatment and delivery system is rendered obsolete without the energy to run it — a scary thought since the electric grid is vulnerable to numerous acts of Nature and man.”

The Survivalist Blog weighed in on the link between water service and energy: “If backup power fails at water-treatment plants then that water may become unsafe for drinking or cooking and need to be boiled, or treated before use. Including water in your emergency kit is always a good idea no matter how secure you think your current method of supply.”

In Jackson, power was not the only problem. A leak in the system also complicated matters. City Councilman Melvin Priester Jr. explained the situation on Facebook: “Because of this leak, [O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant] can't generate the pressure it needs on-site to function and provide water. Until we can find the source of the loss of pressure, Curtis can't pump water out. Pressure has now dropped below the requisite level system wide that it's more likely than not that a boil water notice will issue even if the problem gets resolved.”

Jackson officials announced that the system has since stabilized. “Repairs have been made,” city officials posted on March 10. “The temporary outage was due to weather-related issues at the O.B. Curtis facility and a valve issue at the J.H. Fewell facility. All repairs have been made and service is being restored to the system. A boil water notice is issued system-wide.”

For similar stories, visit Water Online’s Resiliency Solutions Center.